Bear Encounter

My first encounter with a wild black bear in New Jersey. It's also the first time I came across a bear while walking a trail. We both got surprised. It's not a good thing to surprise a bear, though! I still took a few pictures, turned around, and got out of there really fast.

Saint Paul Island wildlife

Northern Fur Seals:








Parakeet Auklets:








Arctic Fox:




Least Auklets:






Crested Auklet:


Thick-billed Murres:




On this picture, notice how the birds on the left are a bit different from the ones on the right. Their backs are dark brown rather than black, and their bills are more pointed and lack a white stripe on them. They are Common Murres, while the ones on the right are Thick-billed Murres.


More Parakeet Auklets:




And a perfect last image to remember St Paul by:

Alaska Wildlife

Tufted Puffin:




Red-necked Phalaropes:


Bald Eagle:










The caribou of St Paul Island:




American Wigeon:


Greater Scaup:


Golden-crowned Sparrow:


Northern Fur Seal:




Parakeet Auklet:




Moose family:

Saint Paul Island wildlife - fur seals, blue foxes, and more

One of the specialties of St Paul Island is the Northern Fur Seals. This is actually what attracted those first Russian settlers there back in 1700's. When we were there, the male seals were just returning back, claiming choice beach spots for their harems. They are the beachmasters:





Notice the wounds on this seal. Their life is not easy.




This is the reason we were there. These cute seabirds are Parakeet Auklets:






Another cute wild resident is the Arctic Fox. But wait, aren't arctic foxes supposed to be white? Well, these are of a rare "blue morph", except that on St Paul Island it is not rare but rather prevalent.






Another rarity is the endangered Red-legged Kittawake. It is a type of a gull, but found only on a few islands in the Bering Sea. Love those red legs!


A snow bunting is not rare, and you can even see them in the NY area in the winter. But it is rare to see them in the summer, and in their full breeding colors!


Another seabird resident - Thick-billed Murre:




More cute fur seals:






Parting shot: the arctic lupine (just coming into bloom in May):